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If Reilly Leaves....

We are kind of screwed. We end up as the team with the worst quarterbacking situation in the league pending further changes/moves.
I understand that lots of dominoes will fall over the next few months and things are quite murky right now, but if Reilly leaves, what do you see as our best option going forward? What do you see realistically happening?

Do we re-sign Glenn and roll with him and another young QB? Presumably we would have lots of money to spend elsewhere, although it wouldnt surprise me if our FA receivers(Williams, Walker, Mitchell) followed Reilly. Do you roll the dice with Jennings? Does Ray decide he wants to keep playing in a shared QB or backup role?

Re: If Reilly Leaves....

Mike Reilly will, of course, depart the Esks sooner or later.
Hopefully, at 33, he has still several great years ahead. But, as a free agent, he could leave. Worse, an injury could sideline him.

Glenn and Ray each 39. Not really a solution beyond a season or two at best.

Last season the Esks did not play, let alone groom, any new young quarterback. Not sure why Kevin Glenn was on the roster, as he wasn’t used and allowed to rust away. Guess he was there in case Reilly went down? Regardless, no game time equals not ready.

Yes, if Reilly leaves back to the drawing board quarterback wise in Eskie land.

There is a lot that needs fixing so that we aren’t a 500 team or worse next year.

The real problem, don’t see the current “brain trust” as being able to accomplish much.

Re: If Reilly Leaves....

Originally Posted by esks123

We are kind of screwed. We end up as the team with the worst quarterbacking situation in the league pending further changes/moves.
I understand that lots of dominoes will fall over the next few months and things are quite murky right now, but if Reilly leaves, what do you see as our best option going forward? What do you see realistically happening?

Do we re-sign Glenn and roll with him and another young QB? Presumably we would have lots of money to spend elsewhere, although it wouldnt surprise me if our FA receivers(Williams, Walker, Mitchell) followed Reilly. Do you roll the dice with Jennings? Does Ray decide he wants to keep playing in a shared QB or backup role?

Scary times ahead potentially.

Trevor Harris as a FA as are alot of CFL QBs why not go after him. Bryant Mitchell has had six NFL workouts so he might have a shot at hitting down there

Re: If Reilly Leaves....

Mike Reilly will, of course, depart the Esks sooner or later.
Hopefully, at 33, he has still several great years ahead. But, as a free agent, he could leave. Worse, an injury could sideline him.

Glenn and Ray each 39. Not really a solution beyond a season or two at best.

Last season the Esks did not play, let alone groom, any new young quarterback. Not sure why Kevin Glenn was on the roster, as he wasn’t used and allowed to rust away. Guess he was there in case Reilly went down? Regardless, no game time equals not ready.

Yes, if Reilly leaves back to the drawing board quarterback wise in Eskie land.

There is a lot that needs fixing so that we aren’t a 500 team or worse next year.

The real problem, don’t see the current “brain trust” as being able to accomplish much.

To be honest... I don’t see anyone in the league really grooming anyone at the qb position .. I still feel we’re one of the best at Qb development even going back to Nichols and franklin as guys we have brought through and started .. u could argue Masoli as well if your stretching it.. but really no one has anyone on their roster than is close to being ready to be a starter for the other 8 teams..

The only other 1 I can think of in recent times is Toronto, who had a spell of harris/ collaros backing up ray..

Feels like no one is developing qbs.. if bo leaves cal there in trouble same for us, bc has no decent Qb, sask no, Toronto no ( Ray is an equaliser but I don’t expect him to play ) winnipeg have streveller who imho cannot pass for toffee.. he’s a nice change up Qb but he’s not a 18 game sterter..

So whilst we really don’t have a next in line now because of reillys success and longevity ( franklin is still imho someone I would bring back ) we’re realisticly in no worse position than any of the other 8 teams..

Re: If Reilly Leaves....

Originally Posted by cmbuk

To be honest... I don’t see anyone in the league really grooming anyone at the qb position .. I still feel we’re one of the best at Qb development even going back to Nichols and franklin as guys we have brought through and started .. u could argue Masoli as well if your stretching it.. but really no one has anyone on their roster than is close to being ready to be a starter for the other 8 teams..

The only other 1 I can think of in recent times is Toronto, who had a spell of harris/ collaros backing up ray..

Feels like no one is developing qbs.. if bo leaves cal there in trouble same for us, bc has no decent Qb, sask no, Toronto no ( Ray is an equaliser but I don’t expect him to play ) winnipeg have streveller who imho cannot pass for toffee.. he’s a nice change up Qb but he’s not a 18 game sterter..

So whilst we really don’t have a next in line now because of reillys success and longevity ( franklin is still imho someone I would bring back ) we’re realisticly in no worse position than any of the other 8 teams..

I agree. Burris and Reilly have both had career years working with Maas so I’m confident that whoever we brought in would be more likely to succeed here than most other places (like Sask with McAdoo).

Re: If Reilly Leaves....

Ya know what..... During the tail end of the season I was constantly wondering what if ( Reilly leave).. fast forward to right now and I just dont care. Rhodes has managed to kill off a long rooted love affair between myself and the Esks. Before Esks where front and center in everything i did...They and a lesser extent the CFL where my #1 priority ...today they are well down the list. Thanks Rhodes, thanks TSN.

Re: If Reilly Leaves....

Originally Posted by Esks4ever

Ya know what..... During the tail end of the season I was constantly wondering what if ( Reilly leave).. fast forward to right now and I just dont care. Rhodes has managed to kill off a long rooted love affair between myself and the Esks. Before Esks where front and center in everything i did...They and a lesser extent the CFL where my #1 priority ...today they are well down the list. Thanks Rhodes, thanks TSN.

I get the Rhodes thing, but why TSN?

To me, I see TSN as having added so much more to building the game than detracting from it. Yes, they impact the schedule by needing to meet their needs, but through growing the coverage exponentially for the game, adding things like the draft, combine, and social media contributions, building out the talent around that coverage (Smith, Dunigan, Stegall, Barker, Sanchez, Burris, Forde, Schinetti, Orleskky, McKenna, Taylor, Miller, Cuthbert... I'll leave out Suitor and Black )... I would have thought them to be a major net positive.

Help me understand why they have sapped interest for you if you could.

Re: If Reilly Leaves....

Originally Posted by Esks4ever

Ya know what..... During the tail end of the season I was constantly wondering what if ( Reilly leave).. fast forward to right now and I just dont care. Rhodes has managed to kill off a long rooted love affair between myself and the Esks. Before Esks where front and center in everything i did...They and a lesser extent the CFL where my #1 priority ...today they are well down the list. Thanks Rhodes, thanks TSN.

1 man won’t dispell your love for something... u will be ok bud.. our team is our team.. long before Rhodes and long long after..
Stay the course brother.... it will be worth it

Re: If Reilly Leaves....

[QUOTE=cmbuk;857649]To be honest... I don’t see anyone in the league really grooming anyone at the qb position .. I still feel we’re one of the best at Qb development even going back to Nichols and franklin as guys we have brought through and started .. u could argue Masoli as well if your stretching it.. but really no one has anyone on their roster than is close to being ready to be a starter for the other 8 teams..

The only other 1 I can think of in recent times is Toronto, who had a spell of harris/ collaros backing up ray..

Feels like no one is developing qbs.. if bo leaves cal there in trouble same for us, bc has no decent Qb, sask no, Toronto no ( Ray is an equaliser but I don’t expect him to play ) winnipeg have streveller who imho cannot pass for toffee.. he’s a nice change up Qb but he’s not a 18 game sterter..

So whilst we really don’t have a next in line now because of reillys success and longevity ( franklin is still imho someone I would bring back ) we’re realisticly in no worse position than any of the other 8 teams..[/QUOTEdonIt is a weird phase that we're in with QBs, and I think, in part, there have been a few key contributors to what you describe.

We've had a lot of good QB talent come along at the same time that hasn't been at the end of their career. With Reilly, Mitchell, Harris, Masoli, Nichols, and even Collaros (prior to his injuries), you have guys that would seemingly have 3-5 years in front of them... and until now, a high level of stability that they will not leave via free agency. It puts less priority over developing the next guy.

That dovetails into the next element - the emergence of the specialist/"athlete" QB, where due to lack of urgency for succession, teams have been able to employ a QB with a specific package of plays. Chris Jones didn't invent it, but he certainly had the luxury of utilizing it effectively when he had Nichols and then Franklin as viable insurance plans behind Reilly.

The other factor I see is the lack of visibility into younger guys developing, as we haven't seen much of them play. Streveller and Pippin are two guys we know about, and we saw a little of Arbuckle and Shiltz, but for the most part, starters tend to go wire to wire these days quite often. I would argue, to a degree, we don't know what some teams have in terms of pipeline talent.

Finally, I think we can be quick to give up on guys that hit some turbulence. Jonathon Jennings has thrown for 5000 yds in a season up here if I'm not mistaken, and James Franklin has shown all the skills needed to succeed at times. To me, they are very much guys in development, but have possibly been rushed a little, at least by comparison to Masoli, Nichols and Harris. I don't believe that either should be given up on yet either. One could argue that Manziel belongs in that category, based on accomplishments elsewhere demonstrating the talent, but the need to adapt it and overcome other challenges.

Re: If Reilly Leaves....

Originally Posted by Esks4ever

Ya know what..... During the tail end of the season I was constantly wondering what if ( Reilly leave).. fast forward to right now and I just dont care. Rhodes has managed to kill off a long rooted love affair between myself and the Esks. Before Esks where front and center in everything i did...They and a lesser extent the CFL where my #1 priority ...today they are well down the list. Thanks Rhodes, thanks TSN.

Admire your frankness and perspective. With all the abysmal years since 2005, Macocia, ET, etc, etc, save the one great year in 2015 (with the promise of dynasty ripped away by Sask and Rhodes) - I’m getting really fed up as well.

But hell, I saw Jackie Parker play. I lived and breathed Esk football during the Hugh Campbell years. I’m not going anywhere. The team is too much a part of my DNA. They’ll have to morph into something else that is no longer the CFL green and gold out of Edmonton for me to stop caring about them.

But where are the Jackie Parkers, Warren Moons, great seasons and GC wins to cement the new fans to the team? All I see is 2015 in the last 13 years. That’s not nearly enough.

And frankly- I don’t see anything except same old for next year. Going to have a punt return game next year. Will a stronger D magically appear. Awesome consistent run game going to materialize. Mike Reilly going to be in Edmonton (if not we ought be in a more solid 5th place next year). Same “ brain trust” running the show next year as this year, and I don’t think replacing a couple of the assistant coaches going to change much. Rhodes still going to prioritize tinsel instead of winning. Maas still periodically going to look overwhelmed.

Re: If Reilly Leaves....

Their gimmicks live mic - regular joe won't give a **** or understands what Omaha or **** beiber is. You want Mic> Mic the right people. Not the QB.

And tin foil hat - they put the most money into the league right ? So essentially they can control it. I fully believe they have the ability to control out comes of games to suit their desires/ make for "way better tv" after all they started the moniker no lead is safe. Combine that with the fact the commish doesn't really ever speak about the ****ty officiating. Completely ignores it instead talks about player safety and expansion despite the officiating is whats killing the game. In order for him to do something about it there'd have to be a non controlling entity right? Commish fixes it, they cant control it therefore he'll never fix it - to please TSN

still think they had a major hand us losing our entire coaching staff to Sask ( their golden child) and certainly looooved mentioning it over and over again during the grey cup game WE where in.

Rod Black

Suitor

- - - Updated - - -

Originally Posted by Moon1

Admire your frankness and perspective. With all the abysmal years since 2006, Macocia, ET, etc, etc, save the one great year in 2015 (with the promise of dynasty ripped away by Sask and Rhodes) - I’m getting really fed up as well.

But hell, I saw Jackie Parker play. I lived and breathed Esk football during the Hugh Campbell years. I’m not going anywhere. The team is too much a part of my DNA. They’ll have to morph into something else that is no longer the CFL green and gold out of Edmonton for me to stop caring about them.

But where are the Jackie Parkers, Warren Moons, great seasons and GC wins to cement the new fans to the team? All I see is 2015 in the last 13 years. That’s not nearly enough.

And frankly- I don’t see anything except same old for next year. Going to have a punt return game next year. Will a stronger D magically appear. Awesome consistent run game going to materialize. Mike Reilly going to be in Edmonton (if not we ought be in a more solids 5th place next year). Same “ brain trust” running the show next year as this year, and I don’t think replacing a couple of the assistant coaches going to change much. Rhodes still going to prioritize tinsel instead of winning. Maas still going periodically going to look overwhelmed.

oh I still care about the Esks...but i've learned over the while not to worry about issues like is Reilly leaving...The CFl doesn't command my attention as much as it was. I've been going to games since the 80s, and my father since early 70s. It was the only thing we ever did as father and son, and since his passing being at the games is a lot more painful than it should and watching the **** show of Rhodes amplifies that.

Re: If Reilly Leaves....

Mike Reilly will, of course, depart the Esks sooner or later.
Hopefully, at 33, he has still several great years ahead. But, as a free agent, he could leave. Worse, an injury could sideline him.

Glenn and Ray each 39. Not really a solution beyond a season or two at best.

Last season the Esks did not play, let alone groom, any new young quarterback. Not sure why Kevin Glenn was on the roster, as he wasn’t used and allowed to rust away. Guess he was there in case Reilly went down? Regardless, no game time equals not ready.

Yes, if Reilly leaves back to the drawing board quarterback wise in Eskie land.

There is a lot that needs fixing so that we aren’t a 500 team or worse next year.

The real problem, don’t see the current “brain trust” as being able to accomplish much.

Very good point about this team not even trying to develop a young QB. Glenn and Danny O'Brien? Really? Glenn I can see as a saftey blanket but Obrien was not good and is not young

Re: If Reilly Leaves....

Very good point about this team not even trying to develop a young QB. Glenn and Danny O'Brien? Really? Glenn I can see as a saftey blanket but Obrien was not good and is not young

Calgary and Ottawa - the two most successful teams in recent years, could be accused of exactly the same thing.

Montreal is the one team likely trying the hardest to develop younger QB talent, but most of the fans around them just laugh at them for it.

We haven't even lost our QB yet (and I am still betting he stays), and already people are foretelling the dark ages. Does anyone really believe that this fanbase has the patience to play and develop a young QB?

Even when we find the next one, if the timing isn't right, you end up developing him for another team. If Reilly does leave, we're likely to turn to another team's guy, at least for an interim solution... the same as we did to bring Reilly here in the first place.

Re: If Reilly Leaves....

Very good point about this team not even trying to develop a young QB. Glenn and Danny O'Brien? Really? Glenn I can see as a saftey blanket but Obrien was not good and is not young

I'm not seeing that buddy....

Out of all the qbs currently starting in the CFL , 2 have come directly from us.. Nichols and Franklin... And this is just the past 5 years maybe?
I don't see any other team developing 1 for themselves let alone for anyone else to benefit from it...

If anything it went against us because we lost Franklin because Reilly plays so much...

I'd say bc have developed jj behind lulay so that's 1 other...

But for the most part were still the only team bringing in starters for the teams in this league ... Prob since the Glenn / Tate/ Mitchell production line they had from 10-12

- - - Updated - - -

Originally Posted by GreatWhiteNorth

Calgary and Ottawa - the two most successful teams in recent years, could be accused of exactly the same thing.

Montreal is the one team likely trying the hardest to develop younger QB talent, but most of the fans around them just laugh at them for it.

We haven't even lost our QB yet (and I am still betting he stays), and already people are foretelling the dark ages. Does anyone really believe that this fanbase has the patience to play and develop a young QB?

Even when we find the next one, if the timing isn't right, you end up developing him for another team. If Reilly does leave, we're likely to turn to another team's guy, at least for an interim solution... the same as we did to bring Reilly here in the first place.

Re: If Reilly Leaves....

I truly understand and share a curious sense of foreboding about next year’s team and the league generally going forward.
Hopefully we will never receed to the lows I saw in the 60’s.....
Our bright hopes were Qb’s James Earl Wright and Jon Anabo , our standout players were Long Gone Jim Thomas and kicker Randy Kerbow.
Thomas was blazing fast but once teams covered his sideline sprints, he was nullified. Our offence routinely lost yards every possession , to the point where the fans would chant for the coach to punt on second down and save field position. This was aided by the realization that Kerbow out kicked the other teams by 20 yards. Our defence was stout with some true warriors and often held off powerful offences until they ultimately wore down in the 4th quarter.
The crowds dwindled to the point that the team gave away a live cow at half time to some lucky fan. Canada Packers did the dirty work for them and a fully packaged freezer full of food ended up feeding that fan’s family for the winter.
At the end of almost every game, the referees beating a retreat to their dressing room under Clark Stadium, were showered in empty liquor bottles.
The only positive event that year for me was coincidentally the early years of Woodward’s Knot Hole Gang; a section devoted to mostly unsupervised pre teen anarchy where stealing a football from a convert attempt was the biggest prize.
By the third quarter we spilled out of our fenced enclosure in to the main seats to occupy rows of abandoned seats.
There’s a very long way to go before we ever sink to those horrific days and somehow I hung on as a fan.
I hope you too can always have a spot in your heart for our Esks even if it is not a priority.

Last edited by couchspud; 12-23-2018 at 02:15 PM.
Reason: Name correction

Re: If Reilly Leaves....

I too was a fan in the 1960s.
I was largely sustained by memories, and the lore, of the great teams of the mid to late 50s.
So many grim games in the 60s, mainly listening to the radio ( Bryan Hall). Very few televised games.
Tommy Joe Coffee was also one of the bright spots.
We can go back there, to those days.
Lose sight of what is important - as some old guy once said “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing” - and we could be back to the dark mood of the 60s.
Give us a few more years of pissing away personel and opportunities, missing the playoffs, and not keeping up with evolving technologies and fan base and we’ll be back there.

Even worse, the advent of an as of yet unforeseen rival for the fan base would push a chronically lossing franchise to extinction.

The end of most things human comes when people stop believing in it.
Seen here, on this board, more than a few long time fans packing it in.

Re: If Reilly Leaves....

Originally Posted by Moon1

I too was a fan in the 1960s.
I was largely sustained by memories, and the lore, of the great teams of the mid to late 50s.
So many grim games in the 60s, mainly listening to the radio ( Bryan Hall). Very few televised games.
Tommy Joe Coffee was also one of the bright spots.
We can go back there, to those days.
Lose sight of what is important - as some old guy once said “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing” - and we could be back to the dark mood of the 60s.
Give us a few more years of pissing away personel and opportunities, missing the playoffs, and not keeping up with evolving technologies and fan base and we’ll be back there.

Even worse, the advent of an as of yet unforeseen rival for the fan base would push a chronically lossing franchise to extinction.

The end of most things human comes when people stop believing in it.
Seen here, on this board, more than a few long time fans packing it in.

Lets also remember in 2012 we spent a whole year with Kerry Joseph at qb.. If we can get through thst we can get past pretty much anything

Re: If Reilly Leaves....

Originally Posted by Mr.Prez

Am I the only one who like Zach Kline?

Originally Posted by cmbuk

Guy has potential...

Um... "had" potential.

I have heard that he isn't coming back and is leaving football.

Most of us, including myself, only know about Kline from what we saw in a few pre-season games, largely against backups or guys that didn't make teams. I was struck, in 2017, by an apparent joy that he got from the game and the exuberance he showed. 2018 was not nearly so kind in pre-season, despite having a year of learning under his belt.

Re: If Reilly Leaves....

Originally Posted by cmbuk

I'm not seeing that buddy....

Out of all the qbs currently starting in the CFL , 2 have come directly from us.. Nichols and Franklin... And this is just the past 5 years maybe?
I don't see any other team developing 1 for themselves let alone for anyone else to benefit from it...

If anything it went against us because we lost Franklin because Reilly plays so much...

I'd say bc have developed jj behind lulay so that's 1 other...

But for the most part were still the only team bringing in starters for the teams in this league ... Prob since the Glenn / Tate/ Mitchell production line they had from 10-12

- - - Updated - - -

Agreed..

Are nichools and Franklin on this team now that we might need a Qb? My response was not about the history of the esks developing guys it was all about thus past year keeping a 100 year old vet, which i can see but obrien? We got rid of nichols and franklin and if reilly leaves we have nothing at the moment